Jumpstart On College Applications

As fall approaches, the days get darker, the weather colder, and a new class tackles the Common App, and gets a jumpstart on college applications. While choosing which schools to apply to can be an exciting time, anyone who has been through it will tell you that it is also overwhelming and at times confusing. Which is the perfect school? What is the school where I will be the happiest? Where should I go?

There is no correct answer to any of those questions. From experience, I can say that the best way to answer them is by deciding what is important to the student applying, and then doing as much research as possible. Location is a good place to start. With over 3,000 4 year colleges in the United States, a sure way to narrow down the pool is by deciding which region is better suited for the student based on personal preferences such as proximity to family, travel time, and weather. College Board has a helpful search engine which allows students to enter several factors such as school size and location, and will then provide a list of schools that fit the preferences specified.

Once a location has been selected, it is important to consider different school sizes. If the student learns better in a smaller, more personal setting, a large school might not be the best choice. However, for students who thrive in a busy environment with many students, a larger school will likely be a better fit. Doing an on-campus tour before or soon after applying will help the student get a better feel for the school and see if it is a good match.

It is no secret that higher education can be costly, so it is also necessary to consider the financial responsibilities that will come with attending each school. While financial aid is available through FAFSA, it is important to be aware of the fact that depending on which school is chosen, the student may have to take out loans, or work while going to school.

Finally, and arguably the most important, is to make sure the schools considered have majors that apply to the interest of the student. While this will generally not be an issue, in some cases, especially in very specific courses of study, a school may not offer the major, or only offer it as a minor. If a major or course of study has not been selected yet, it would be helpful to ensure that a school has a wide range of options to allow flexibility.

There is no perfect way to choose which colleges to apply to, simply because there is no perfect college. It all depends on references and what is better suited to each individual’s needs. At the end of the day, wherever a student goes, the experience will depend on them and the memories they make while advancing their education.

Amanda De Moraes

Boston Tutoring Services